Portable wheel alignment system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for accurately measuring vehicle wheel alignment parameters in various environments. This invention relates generally to vehicle wheel alignment. More specifically, this invention relates to portable, radio-frequency or hard wired alignment systems for providing alignment services at disparate field locations including the vehicle owners' garage or yard. The novel invention allows the user to transport the alignment measuring system to the vehicle to be serviced, thus allowing the vehicle owner avoid the added expense and inconvenience of transporting the vehicle to an alignment service area. The method of the present invention is accomplished by utilizing optical alignment sensors and on-site leveling techniques employing shims, leveling plates and an inclinometer, which allow the user to obtain accurate alignment measurements in the field. The instant invention discloses a novel portable method and apparatus for providing accurate alignment services in the field.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A portable wheel alignment system comprising: 
 a computer with manufacturer's alignment data loaded in it;    a monitor for displaying output of said computer;    electronic wheel sensors for mounting on four wheels of a first vehicle, each of said sensors having an emitter or detector adapted to communicate with said computer for evaluating wheel alignment of said first vehicle; and    an inclinometer adapted to account for the lack of level in an axle pitch or frame pitch of the first vehicle, wherein the computer and the monitor are mounted in a second vehicle for portability of said wheel alignment system.    
     
     
         2 . The portable wheel alignment system of  claim 1 , which also comprises an optical level measurement means for the front axle of said first vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . The portable wheel alignment system of  claim 1 , which includes shims for leveling the front axle of said first vehicle.  
     
     
         4 . The portable wheel alignment system of  claim 2 , which includes shims for leveling the front axle of said first vehicle.